Draughtboard and game kit comprising such a draughtboard

ABSTRACT

A draughtboard having a first and a second number of squares of different colours, and wherein the squares are defined by respective removable blocks; the draughtboard can be used for playing conventional draughts, or a variation draught game wherein the blocks can be changed to alter the normal alternating square arrangement.

The present invention relates to a draughtboard and to a game kit comprising such a draughtboard.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

As is known, draught- and chessboards comprise a number of squares of two different colours, normally, though not necessarily, black and white, and alternating in rows and columns.

A conventional draught set comprises a board and two different-coloured, again normally black and white, sets of pieces; and, according to the conventional rules of the game, the pieces can only be moved on the black squares and “eat” an opponent's piece with an empty black square behind it.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide an innovative draughtboard which can be used for playing both conventional draughts and variations derived from it.

According to the present invention, there is provided a draughtboard having a number of first squares of a first colour, and a number of second squares of a second colour; characterized in that said first and second squares are defined by removable blocks.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A preferred, non-limiting embodiment of the present invention will be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a partial view in perspective of a draughtboard in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows a plan view of a game kit comprising the FIG. 1 draughtboard;

FIG. 3 shows a section along line III-III in FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Number 1 in FIG. 1 indicates as a whole a draughtboard in accordance with the present invention.

Draughtboard 1 comprises a square supporting surface 2 having a raised peripheral edge 3, and, according to the present invention, comprises a first number of removable blocks 5 defining the white squares, and a second number of removable blocks 6 defining the black squares.

Blocks 5, 6, which are equal in number to the respective squares of a conventional draughtboard, rest on supporting surface 2, inwards of edge 3 by which they are retained laterally, and have respective gripping members, e.g. knobs 7.

FIGS. 2 and 3 show a game kit comprising a number of white pieces 10 and a number of black pieces 11. Pieces 10, 11 are conveniently taller than usual, and each has a bottom recess 12 for housing knob 7 of block 5, 6 on which the piece rests.

Pieces 10, 11 may, in turn, be provided on top with knobs 13 identical with knobs 7.

Removable blocks 5, 6 may be arranged in the normal way as shown in the drawings, or rearranged according to given game rules. For example, starting with the conventional arrangement of squares and pieces, and maintaining the principle of only moving the pieces on the black squares, a new game rule can be devised whereby, when an opponent's piece is “eaten”, a block, e.g. the one on which the eaten piece was located, can be replaced with another, either adjacent or not, but obviously of a different colour, so as to alter the normal black and white square arrangement and, therefore, the path of the pieces, to assist one's own game while at the same time restricting the opponent's moves.

Clearly, changes may be made to draughtboard 1 as described herein without, however, departing from the scope of the present invention.

In particular, the colours of the squares and pieces may be other than black and white as shown; and changes may be made to the design of supporting surface 2, the pieces, and the gripping members, which may be defined by recesses as opposed to being raised. 

1-9. (Canceled)
 10. A draughtboard, comprising: a) a number of first squares of a first colour, and a number of second squares of a second colour, said first and second squares are defined by removable blocks; and b) said blocks comprise gripping means, said gripping means are raised with respect to said blocks.
 11. A draughtboard as claimed in claim 10, and further comprising a supporting surface for said removable blocks.
 12. A draughtboard as claimed in claim 11, wherein said supporting surface comprises a raised peripheral edge for laterally retaining said blocks.
 13. A draughtboard as claimed in claim 10, wherein said gripping means comprise a knob for each said block.
 14. A game kit, comprising: a) a draughtboard having a number of first squares of a first colour, a number of second squares of a second colour, and a first and second number of pieces of two different colours; b) said first and second squares are defined by removable blocks; c) said blocks comprise raised gripping means; and d) said pieces each comprise a bottom seat for housing said gripping means. 